This place is at a distance of 16 kms from Trichy on Trichy to Karur route via Kulithalai. This is one of the Padal Pethra Sthalam on the southern bank of Kaveri revered by Shaiva Saints Appar, Sambandhar and Manikvachagar. Once this region was covered by Palai trees (Daruka vruksha). There are 83 stone inscriptions belonging to Chola, Pandya and Vijayanagar kings. The original temple must have existed even before the 6th century. This is one of the Sapta Sthana temples of Trichy. The others are Thiruvanikovil, Thirupainjali, Thiruchendurai, Thiruvasi, Thiruvedhikudi and Thirualanthurai.
Moolavar: Shri Darukavaneshwarar, Shri Paraithurainathar
Devi: Shri Hemavarnambal, Shri Pasumpon, Shri Mayilammai
Utsav Murti: Bhikshatanar
Sacred Teertha: Aganda Kaveri (broad Kaveri)
Kshetra Vruksha: Parai tree in Tamil (Daruka tree in Sanskrit; Poii, Kharota in marathi)
Kshetra Purana:
As mentioned earlier the place was known as Darukavanam due to the presence of Daruka trees.
As mentioned in the earlier blog about Vazhuvur Ashtaviratta sthala, this place has a connection with its Kshetra Purana. The sages of Darukavana became egoistic as they started feeling that their spiritual knowledge and powers are sufficient to uplift the people. They started feeling that there is no need for god as one’s karma is responsible for the pain and the pleasure. Their wives also were feeling that they were more beautiful than anyone including wives of Devas, Trimurtis and celestial damsels. To teach them a lesson, Lord Shiva took the form of a beautiful nude beggar (Bhikshatanar) and Lord Vishnu took the form of his wife Mohini (very beautiful lady). When the sage’s wives saw Bhikshatanar they were attracted to such an extent that they started neglecting their duties. On seeing the beauty of Mohini they felt ashamed and embarrassed with their egoistic thoughts. Bhikshatanar and Mohini were followed by wives of the sages and reached the place where sages were performing yadnya. Sages were also attracted by the beauty of Mohini. At the same time they became angry as their wives were neglecting their duties. They tried different methods to try and destroy Bhiskhatanar by creating wild animals, by mantras, sending evil spirits etc. But they failed in all their attempts. And finally Lord Shiva revealed his identity and performed Urdhwa Tandava. Lord Shiva gave Darshan under the Parai tree to the sages.
Those who worshiped at this place: Lord Indra, Lord Kubera and Sapta Rishis.
Special features:
1. In ancient times this region was believed to be covered by Parai trees, hence the place was known as Thirupparaithurai.
2. Shiva linga was formed among the Parai trees and the temple was built around it.
3. In Sanskrit, Parai tree is known as Daruka vruksha, hence the puranik name of the place was Darukavanam.
4. The procession idol and Bhikshatanar are kept in a mandap in whose ceiling the twelve zodiac signs are drawn. It is believed that by worshiping Lord Shiva and Lord Bhikshatanar by standing under one’s zodiac sign, one gets relieved of the adverse effects of the planets.
5. Lord Vinayakar in the shrine outside the temple is known as Parai Vinayakar.
6. Lord Dakshinamurti’s shrine is under a Kallala (banyan tree). Four lions are depicted holding four pillars.
7. In this place, Ardhanarishwarar is depicted along with a Rishabh vahan which is very unique.
8. The rays of the Sun fall on the shiva linga on the 18th day of Purattasi every year.
9. Meditating on Lord Shiva under the kshetra vruksha is considered very auspicious.
10. The river Kaveri becomes broader at this place hence it is known as Aganda Kaveri.
11. Similar to holy dip in Mayiladuthurai, a holy dip takes place on the first day of Aippasi.
12. This temple is one of the sapta sthana temples of this region.
13. Lord Muruga is praised as Dandapani in one shrine whereas he is praised as Lord Shanmukha with six faces in other shrine.
14. Saint Arunagirinathar has sung a sacred hymn in praise of Lord Muruga of this temple.
15. On the pillars in front of Ambika’s shrine there is a sculpture of Lord Nataraja as Urdhwa Tandava murti and dancing Goddess Kali.
About temple:
This is a Maada kovil and covers an area of 5 acres. This temple was built when a shiva linga was found in the dense Parai trees. A temple is east facing with two prakarams. Balipeeth, Dhawajastambha and Nandi are after Rajagopuram. At the entrance of each prakaram, there is a Rajagopuram. At the main entrance of the temple the Rajagopuram is seven tiered. A large Lord Ganesha idol is at the main entrance. The temple tank and a hundred pillared mandap are located outside the Rajagopuram but with an ornamental arch entrance. The temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum, antarala and maha mandap. As this is a Maada kovil, sanctum of Lord Shiva and shrine of Goddess Parvati are on an elevated platform. The shiva linga is a swayambhu linga and small in size. The rays of the sun fall on the shiva linga on the eighteenth day of Purattasi.
Koshtha murtis are Lord Vinayakar, Lord Dakshinamurti, Lord Ardhanarishwarar, Lord Brahma, Goddess Durga, Lord Chandikeshwarar.
On a mandap pillar, there are sculptures of Lord Nataraja with one leg raised towards the sky and Goddess Kali in dancing position. Nandi is facing the sanctum in a small mandap. Goddess Ambal is in a separate shrine outside the maha mandap and she is facing south. She is in a standing posture. A small Nandi is in front of the sanctum. The inner parikrama depicts the beauty of the temple and skill of the sculptors. On either side there is a raised platform. There are idols of sapta matrikas, Pidari, Shaiva saint Nalvar, Lord Ganesha, 63 Naayanmars, Appu, Vayu and Teyu lingams, Lord Ayyanar, Sona Linga, Lord Subramanya with his consort, Lord Vishnu, Goddess Mahalakshmi, Lord Bhairav, Surya, Chandra, Navagraha, Gangala Murti and Goddess Durga. There are small shrines of Somaskanda. Lord Dakshinamurti is in a small but beautiful shrine in the koshtha. All the koshtha murtis are very beautiful. The outer parikrama is an open space. There is a shrine of Lord Vinayakar in the southwest corner praised as Kanni Vinayakar. A shrine of Lord Dandapani wearing sandals is in the outer prakaram. Under the kshetra vruksha, there is a small Shiva linga. In the Navagraha shrine, only Lord Shanishwar is on his mount. From a point in a temple complex we can have darshan of five Gopurams of the temple. Lord Nataraja is in a separate shrine. Lord Vinayakar is praised as Palai Vinayakar and is outside the temple and he is in a standing posture. In a mandap we come across Bhikshatanar and various bronze idols. On the roof of a mandap twelve zodiac signs are painted. It is believed that Lord Shiva gave darshan under the sacred vruksha. Hence there is a shiva linga. Just like Kadaimuzhuku (last dip) during Tula snanam in Mayiladuthurai, at this place, the first dip known as Mudal Muzhukku which is done on the first day of Aippasi. On that day Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati come to the bank of river Kaveri on Rishabh vahan.
Prayers:
1. Devotees worship at this place for relief from skin diseases and other diseases.
2. Parents pray for the welfare of their children.
3. Devotees worship Goddess Parvati for removal of wedding obstacles and prosperity.
4. Those seeking wedding matches worship Goddess Varahi.
Pujas:
Regular daily pujas, pradosha puja and special puja on new moon days and full moon days
Festivals:
Vaikasi (May-June): Vaikasi Vishakha (This is a main festival), Brahmotsavam 12 days
Aavani (June-July): Ganesh chaturthi
Purattasi (Sept-Oct): Navaratri
Aippasi (Oct-Nov): Teerthavari festival on the first day, Annabhishek
Karthigai (Nov-Dec): Thiru Karthigai
Margazhi (Dec-Jan): Thiruvathirai
Maasi (Feb-Mar): Shivaratri
Timing: 7.30 am to 11.30 am, 4.30 pm to 8.30 pm
Address: Sri Darukavaneshwarar Temple at Thirupparaithurai, at post Thirupparaithurai, District: Karur, TN 639115
Phone: +91-9940843571
Courtesy: Various websites and blogs
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